Ongoing NFL Discussion Thread V

[Pr4wn]

First topic message reminder :

Strong staff for us, I'm excited for next season!

[Number-25]

Yep, Gruden it is then. Welcome to the circus Jay!

My take on it? He's got as much or as little chance of being a success as any other stooge that has entered our HC office over the last 15 years.

In the main, the Bengals have done pretty well in his time there. I think he has gotten a disproportionate amount of stick for Andy Dalton's failings. I think the stories this week about how Mike Brown wanted Kapaernick while Gruden wanted Dalton are stupid. I didn't remember anyone shouting at the time of that draft about Kapaernick being so awesome. This is the NFL though and the media here specialise in revisionist history. Also Kap didn't look to clever for a long spell this season without his top WR.

Anyway, time will tell if this is a good hire. Bengals fans don't seem all that bothered about him leaving which is always a worry but in all honesty, I don't think he's much better or much worse than any other hire they could have made.

I just don't get too excited about Redskins HC hires anymore cos we all know how they usually turn out. I hope Gruden finally brings and end to all of that.

[Pr4wn]

Reckon you'll franchise Orakpo?

[Lowlandbrit]

Looks like Hue Jackson will take over from Gruden as Bengals OC, although there's a chance he follows Zimmer if he gets a job (according to Schefter the Vikings like him).

[Number-25]

I'd be surprised if they did Pr4wn. With the change in coaching staff it's hard to tell what the thinking will be now. No doubt that Orakpo can be a disruptive player is one that most Redskins fans would like to see stay but not at any price. I think they'll try and work a deal with him, maybe with some kind of sweeteners in it if he can stay fit but if they can't work something out then it wouldn't surprise me if they let him test the market. It's a very tough call this one. Much might also depend if they go back to a 4-3 now that Shanahan has gone.

[GSC]

Unfair. Grudens done a nice job building that offence. Daltons limitations to blame

[GSC]

That said I dont know if he has the force of will to face down Snyder

[Number-25]

I agree GSC, Dalton has put up good numbers with Gruden and if people are being honest he's probably exceeded expectations with his play in the regular season at least. Yeah he's fallen apart in the playoffs and if you're going to lay all of that on Gruden then you have to also give him all the credit for making Dalton a QB that is good enough to get them to the playoffs 3 years in a row. Could you imagine if the Redskins went to the playoffs 3 years in a row???? That's a level of success that would be unprecedented in Snyder's time as owner. All of us would buy into that right now if it was on offer!

[mikeygnfl]

Imagine if the Bengals had RG3 (and the Redskins had Dalton in you want to trade thought).

[GSC]

I liked Jay Gruden a year ago, but the Eagles were a much more stable organisation behind Lurie and Roseman compared to Snyder and Allen (who seems to have grabbed power very quietly).

Snyder needs a HC with a big personality and the backbone to say no, whether he wants one after the way Shanahans regime ended is another question.

[GSC]

Ken Whisenhunt seems to be a man in demand. Not entirely sure why given his failures with Leinert, Kolb, Hall, Skelton and Lindley but each to their own

[BamBam]

Reckon Lombardi would have struggled with those leading lights

[GSC]

Lombardi didnt tie himself to those QBs to begin with either

[GSC]

In unrelated news, the NFL is being sued by a Steelers fan

Carry on

[mikeygnfl]

mikeygnfl ‏@mikeygnfl 6 Sep
Championship games AFC #Broncos vs #Colts NFC #49ers vs #Seahawks @nfl

Just checking my preseason predictions from Twitter. I could be close to getting the Championship games right. I also had the four AFC divisional winners correct and the AFC West and NFC North both spot on.

Some of my other predictions didn't turn out so good though. I had the Redskins for one of the byes in the NFC and the Texans, Falcons and Dolphins in the playoffs.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Mike Jones ‏@MikeJonesWaPo
Bruce Allen said he would've interviewed Whisenhunt and Pagano (coordinators of San Diego) had Bengals won.

Well ok

[GSC]

Way the system works. Better to lose if you're angling for a HC job.

Hue Jackson and Dalton will be fun. Not an ideal match

[Number-25]

He's not even been the coach for 24 hours and already I'm bored reading the line about Jay Gruden only getting an interview cos of his name. Yeah, cos that's how billionaires become rich... they give people multi-million dollar contracts based solely on their surnames.

Anyway, in other news, we've contacted Disney regarding a trade for Hannah Montana to come play QB for us, sounded out Anneka Rice about becoming our much needed complimentary WR threat next to Pierre Garcon and Homer Simpson is coming in for a tryout to split carries with Alfred Morris. All makes about as much sense as the lazy line about Gruden only getting interviews cos of his brother....

[sodhat]

Not to flog the Jay Gruden horse, but this made me laugh:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1917970-internet-goes-nuts-with-photo-of-new-redskins-coach-jay-gruden-looking-terrified

[Number-25]

 It does look a bit like he's just woken up after a drunken night to find Dan Snyder lying next to him in his bed!!

Anyway, playoffs this weekend.... who have you all got? Anyone see any shocks? It's gotta be Seattle, San Fran, NE and Denver surely??

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I kinda fancy New Orleans to pull off the shock in Seattle, Seattle's offence has really cooled off recently and I'd take Drew Brees to pull off a few big plays...

San Fran will dominate Carolina, who are ridiculously overrated. Their offence is a pile of poop.

I think our game is almost certainly gonna be a close one. I think we matchup well with them, but its just a case of how Luck play. If Indy turns the ball over four times like last week they ain't gonna win. I'll go with NE

And Denver's gonna blow out San Diego.

[TM Moot]

Denver, Seattle, 49ers and Colts for me (then again, i've written NE off all season!)

[sodhat]

Carolina need to step up their pass rush against San Francisco rather than relying on their secondary to make plays. If they do that they could get the 'upset' but I'll stick with San Francisco to shut down the Panthers offense and make just enough plays to win a close one.

Denver have struggled both times against San Diego who have found ways to slow their offense...and there is no denying Peyton doesn't save his best for the playoffs. Denver are my favourites but I wouldn't be too shocked if San Diego dragged out a win either.

Seattle will roll over New Orleans I think. Tough to see the Saints running or passing for big plays on the Seattle defense and Seattle can run it down their throats behind the big crowd assist.

Colts/NE is tough to call. I don't think the Colts defense is good enough and I can't see Brady letting it off the hook like Kansas did. Not to say the Pats defense is especially good as a unit, and if Luck can play mistake-free football then the Colts can win here. Luck and the Colts have an impressive record in terms of knocking off the best teams in the NFL too... I stick with NE at home on the proviso that they make less mistakes than the Colts as a whole.

[Lowlandbrit]

I know the Patriots have Tom Brady, but I'm struggling to see why they're such heavy favourites against the Colts considering what else they've got left.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I know the Patriots have Tom Brady, but I'm struggling to see why they're such heavy favourites against the Colts considering what else they've got left.

Belichick...errr Edelman? Pretty sure the rest are on IR!

One thing to consider for our game is that its meant to be wet wet wet and windy. With the Colts being a dome team could be a factor

[BamBam]

Weather is apparently appalling in Seattle this weekend (shocking I know), can't see the offence being able to do enough. On a dry day I reckon Brees would have stepped it up after hearing how bad he is on the road all week long.

Looking at this without red and gold tinted specs - I think 49ers will win a close one. I don't know if I agree that the Panthers are overrated, their defence is legit and that is often enough in the playoffs, coupled with a big play offence. I just don't see where they will get those big plays against our defence, we look bang on form at the moment.

Colts vs Pats is tough to call, but home advantage and Beezlebub himself will probably overcome the lack of weapons. Although after watching the Colts corners struggles last week, I expect Amendola and Edelman to do pretty well. Luck will keep it close though.

Denver vs SD will probably be a 20 point victory for Denver

[Forward Pass]

Gone for Seahawks , Pats & Panthers to win close games
Broncos by 10 or more vs Chargers

[skins4ever]

D wins championships still applies in my opinion. The AFC teams don't have a championship defence amongst them. Given that I'm expecting an NFC team to win the big one, and this weekends AFC games could be shootouts as all have potent offenses. tha said, Denvers D is better than most so I reckon they should win, but its hard to call the Colts v Pats. As its in NE I'll go with the Pats but Lucks mobility will cause them headaches.

The NFC likewise could go with home field advantage. I'm definitely backing the Seahawks because they have the capability to shut Brees down and NO don't have a great run game. Bad conditions favour the Seahowaks, simply because of Beast Mode! And I wouldn't;t rule the Panthers out. If their pass rush steps up, as mentioned above, they will test the 49ers, and while we aren't talking big production, Newton cut down on the mistakes this year and is hungry for a playoff win. Without Crabtree back, I'd give this one to the Panthers, but as he is and Smith is hobbled, I go with the 49ers.

PS re the Gruden photo, I think he was just trying to see down the top of the lady asking the question and forgot he was on camera.

[mikeygnfl]

My thinking is that because most people are expecting the Patriots, Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks to win, they won't.

I would like to see the Saints and 49ers get through so the NFC Championship game is at Candlestick Park but if their is heavy rain in Seattle that will restrict the Saints' game.

Here are the Madden 25 predictions for this week:- http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1916151-divisional-round-madden-25-preview-and-prediction-simulations

It was 4-0 last week and there are some interesting outcomes this week.

[mikeygnfl]

Top four defences in terms of total points this season are Seattle, Carolina, San Francisco and New Orleans. In total yards only Cincinnati break into that group in third with the 49ers dropping down to fifth.

[Lowlandbrit]

Vikings reportedly down to three finalists for HC job: Mike Zimmer (Bengals DC), Todd Bowles (Cardinals DC) and Greg Roman (49ers OC).

[skins4ever]

I like Todd Bowles, as a player and coach, and he should get a chance, but I think Zimmer would be my choice if I were the Vikes. While they do need to make decisions on O (mainly at QB!), for their division, they need to rebuild what was a formidable D and he's an ideal choice. I think Roman is a good OC, but I don't think his profile is big enough to lead an NFL team, at least at the moment.

[mikeygnfl]

It looks like there could be heavy rain in both Boston and Seattle tonight.

[mikeygnfl]

I looks like Mike Zimmer is favourite for the Vikings HC role. He has also been interviewed by the Titans. Kyle Shanahan has been interviewed for the OC job at the Dolphins.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Nervous/Excited about tonight. Really can't predict it

[mikeygnfl]

It has already kicked off in Seattle... Between Sherman and Graham anyway   

[BamBam]

Slamming it up the middle with Sproles and running a screen pass to Ingram on your 2nd and 3rd play may be overthinking it

[BamBam]

Harvin can't catch a break atm

[mikeygnfl]

Harvin can't catch a break atm

Or the ball.

[mikeygnfl]

How much was the bounty on Percy Harvin?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Seahawks winning the battle of the place kicker holders so far

[mikeygnfl]

Five minutes to go in the first half and it is game over.

[crazy_dave23]

Five minutes to go in the first half and it is game over.

... wasnt this the case last week...

though I agree with you... its over.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

God these Saints recievers aren't half soft, Graham as soon as you bump and shove someone in his face doesn't know what to do

[mikeygnfl]

Percy Harvin being checked for concussion for the second time today. To think the Seahawks could have stayed where they were in the 2013 draft and got Cordarrelle Patterson instead.

[Lowlandbrit]

When's the last time a team got shut out in the playoffs?

[mikeygnfl]

When's the last time a team got shut out in the playoffs?

2006 Panthers 26-0 Giants.

[BamBam]

The commentator just said "May have clinched"

[mikeygnfl]

What was Marques Colston thinking? Just go out of bounds. Seahawks were definitely better that the Saints on the day. Ingram's fumble and the two missed field goals cost them big. New Orleans stuck with the run and short game to much. They had more success when looking down field.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Colston actually had a nice game up to that point, but wtf are you doing there?!?!

Graham really isn't physical enough. Especially after all that bravado pre game

[mikeygnfl]

Most plausible answer to Colston, I have seen so far, is he possibly thought the clock had ran out?

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